Last week's sales marked the first time in 40 weeks that the Frozen soundtrack failed to make the Top 10 of the Billboard 200. Sure, the compilation still placed at no. 13 but it will be tough (and a long time) before we see it crack the Top 10 for albums spending the most weeks within the Billboard 200.
Look below to see the top 10 and how far any album has to go before getting on the list.
10) Legend by Bob Marley and The Wailers (290 weeks)
The highest-selling album from the reggae icon is actually far from dropping off of the list despite being released in 1984. The album actually reached its highest charting moment two weeks ago when it placed no. 5 overall. It helps that Google Play sold digital copies for 99 cents, but look for Legend to move up this chart soon.
09) Heavenly by Johnny Mathis (295 weeks)
Johnny Mathis released his tenth and highest-selling album of original material (ironic foreshadowing intended), Heavenly, during 1959 and rode a wave of singles including "Misty." It would remain his longest run on the Billboard 200 until...much farther down this list.
08) Oklahoma! by Andy McKaie and Ron O'Brien (305 weeks)
Yes, theatergoers, the soundtrack for Oklahoma! was composed by Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein II. However this is the film version of the same musical, which makes it the longest running film soundtrack in Billboard 200 history. This is the mark that Frozen will be aiming for if it plans on making history.
07) Tapestry by Carole King (312 weeks)
Carole King's chart-topping Tapestry certainly had great sales from an album perspective but it also got some legwork out of its singles: "It's Too Late"/"I Feel The Earth Move" is the only single in the Top 10 that also topped the Billboard Hot 100 (which is to say, the only single originally recorded specifically for that album. Greatest hits packages don't count).
06) Journey's Greatest Hits by Journey (318 weeks)
No band on this list strikes as more deserving of the greatest-hits-treatment than Journey. Does anyone really want the entirety of Escape? Maybe. But everyone needs "Don't Stop Believin'" for weddings and whatnot. Hence why the band's 1988 greatest hits package was able to stay on the Billboard 200 as long as it did.
05) Metallica by Metallica (319 weeks)
Here's another album that will continue to move because it simply won't leave the Billboard 200. Hardcore thrash fans will continue to rage against this as the band's "sellout" album but that's not going to stop anyone from buying it. This will stand as a sign of hope for metal fans everywhere that the genre can break into the mainstream.
04) Highlights from The Phantom of The Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Richard Stilgoe (331 weeks)
It's appropriate that the longest-running musical in Broadway history also has one of the longest-running musical soundtracks on the Billboard 200 (yes..."one of"). This is the original cast recording from the show's first run on Broadway, which began in 1988. You can still check it out today, which hasn't hurt the album's overall sales.
03) My Fair Lady by Frederick Loewe (480 weeks)
Phantom of The Opera might be only one spot behind My Fair Lady in the Top 10 of long-running albums on the Billboard 200...but it's a long way off in terms of time-served. The original 1956 run of the musical featured Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews, two members of Broadway royalty, which helped ensure this soundtrack sold (and helped solidify Andrews' reputation for years to come).
02) Johnny's Greatest Hits by Johnny Mathis (490 weeks)
Remember way back when we suggested that Mathis would be making a return to the Top 10? Well here we are. The vocalist had a boatload of hits during his day so his greatest hits package kept the buyers coming for nearly 500 weeks.
01) The Dark Side of The Moon by Pink Floyd (874 weeks)
Considering all the success of greatest hits albums within this Top 10, it's interesting to note that Pink Floyd's studio album The Dark Side of The Moon takes the cake. And take it it does. The album has nearly 400 more weeks on the chart than any other album. It's a great record no doubt, but it really raises the question: Why this classic rock staple? Why not Led Zeppelin's IV? Why not Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band? We may never know.
